While an appearance by iconic New York rapper Nas was supposed to be one of many surprises during Nicki Minaj's headlining set at Hot 97's Summer Jam last weekend, Young Money's wholesale pull-out from the event caused a ripple effect that led to a big set from Nas and Lauryn Hill instead. The storied rapper has finally addressed the controversial spat between Minaj and Hot 97, saying that these sort of beefs happen and usually come to pass.

Nas, referencing his once-rocky relationship with the radio station, said it's part of hip-hop culture to be opinionated and reactionary. "I've been there before and things like that happen every couple of years," he told Rap-Up. "The nature of hip-hop can be aggressive and get real gangsta on you now and then. That's just what it is. These things happen."

Calling hip-hop "one family," Nas said he understood Minaj and Young Money's decision to pull out of the event after being disrespected by station DJ Peter Rosenberg. "Her situation is based on something different between her and her camp," he said, referencing his own battle with the station during his beef with Jay-Z. "Eventually I got cool with Hot 97 and they got cool with me. It's one hip-hop family."

While the veteran rapper refused to take sides, he said the situation was messy for both parties and reacted in the heat of the moment to a tense situation. "We spoke briefly and it seemed like it was a crazy situation for her to handle," he said. "When put in that position, it's no easy thing and I guess I was in support of her, in support of Hot 97."